A Powerful Head-On Defeat (Third Update)

The power that burst forth was more than enough.

The shock that traveled through the ground was violent.

In an instant.

Mei Terumi had been sent flying and slammed into the ground, leaving a deep crater. Just as Chojuro's face filled with worry and he was about to draw his sword and rush forward, a slender figure sprang out of the dust as it cleared.

"Don't worry, Chojuro."

Her calm voice drifted down.

Mei Terumi looked slightly disheveled, but otherwise showed no obvious injuries.

Seeing this, Chojuro finally let out the breath he had been holding.

Of course!

She was the strongest Mizukage in their village!

In this era, she was one of the five people standing at the pinnacle!

Chojuro had absolute faith that his Fifth Mizukage would win!

She used the force of her body's rebound to lessen the impact? No wonder she's an experienced Kage Level fighter. Still, she's not far from what I expected.

Naruto had landed just as easily. He looked at Mei Terumi, still wearing a cold expression, and remained calm and relaxed. His strength had grown rapidly over the past two years, but he hadn't encountered any particularly formidable opponents, so he couldn't accurately gauge his current combat ability. He had already decided that this clash with Kirigakure would give him a chance to measure himself against the Fifth Mizukage. The Five Kage were already at the top of the world's power structure, and in the original story they had even fought Uchiha Madara with the Rinnegan—though they had fought together and suffered a crushing defeat.

Without a doubt, she was an excellent yardstick.

In a fight under normal conditions—

whether it came to Taijutsu, ninjutsu, or general reflexes—

he could say he had the upper hand.

As for what came next...

"Mizukage,